IADR Abstract Archives
Efficacy of Oil Pulling for Relief of Medication-induced Xerostomia
Objectives: To determine the efficacy of oil pulling (cold-pressed sunflower oil) versus natural mineral water as control on subjective burden of xerostomic symptoms among patients with medication-induced xerostomia and to describe duration of symptom-relief, taste and mucosal adhesion.
Methods: N=24 participants (mean age 64 (±16) years) with medication-induced xerostomia (10 cm VAS scale) were included in this randomized single-blind crossover trial investigating the efficacy of a 7-day-use of cold-pressed sunflower oil versus natural mineral water as control with a 7-day wash-out period. Dental examinations were taken at baseline; xerostomic VAS-Scales, and after-use questionnaires were investigated before and after use. Efficacy of symptom-relief, mucosal adhesion and persistence of taste were documented every 2 minutes over a 10-minute-period.
Results: After 7-day-use, differences between both products could be shown as well as a reduction of the xerostomic VAS scales for oil pulling between baseline 6.2 to after-product use 2.5 (p<0.05). Differences between oil and water could be shown in favour of oil for duration of short-term symptom-relief (p<0.05), mucosal adhesion (p<0.05) and taste persistence (p<0.05). Although no serious side effects occurred, oil pulling was not convincing for all participants in the test group.
Conclusions: Oil puling was more effective in alleviating dry mouth symptoms in the short term measured by VAS Scales among patients with medication-induced xerostomia. Differences in perceived effectiveness and in-mouth duration regarding symptom-relief, mucosal adhesion and taste persistence could be shown between oil and mineral water in favour of oil, however these endpoints may not be representative for an all-over and long-term alleviation of dry mouth burden. Oil pulling can improve xerostomic burden when compared to water among patients with medication-induced xerostomia and patients can be informed of this easily assessable and affordable treatment option.
Methods: N=24 participants (mean age 64 (±16) years) with medication-induced xerostomia (10 cm VAS scale) were included in this randomized single-blind crossover trial investigating the efficacy of a 7-day-use of cold-pressed sunflower oil versus natural mineral water as control with a 7-day wash-out period. Dental examinations were taken at baseline; xerostomic VAS-Scales, and after-use questionnaires were investigated before and after use. Efficacy of symptom-relief, mucosal adhesion and persistence of taste were documented every 2 minutes over a 10-minute-period.
Results: After 7-day-use, differences between both products could be shown as well as a reduction of the xerostomic VAS scales for oil pulling between baseline 6.2 to after-product use 2.5 (p<0.05). Differences between oil and water could be shown in favour of oil for duration of short-term symptom-relief (p<0.05), mucosal adhesion (p<0.05) and taste persistence (p<0.05). Although no serious side effects occurred, oil pulling was not convincing for all participants in the test group.
Conclusions: Oil puling was more effective in alleviating dry mouth symptoms in the short term measured by VAS Scales among patients with medication-induced xerostomia. Differences in perceived effectiveness and in-mouth duration regarding symptom-relief, mucosal adhesion and taste persistence could be shown between oil and mineral water in favour of oil, however these endpoints may not be representative for an all-over and long-term alleviation of dry mouth burden. Oil pulling can improve xerostomic burden when compared to water among patients with medication-induced xerostomia and patients can be informed of this easily assessable and affordable treatment option.